Birthing bed calf support

ABSTRACT

A limb support coupled to a patient-support apparatus includes a multi-axis pivot mount having a first joint mounted to the patient-support apparatus, an arm coupled to the first joint on a first end for pivotable movement thereabout, and a second joint coupled to a second end of the arm for pivotable movement thereabout. A cushion assembly is mounted to the second joint for pivotable movement of the cushion assembly in relation to the second joint.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of a U.S. Provisional PatentApplication, Ser. No. 60/737,820, filed on Nov. 17, 2005, and entitled“Birthing Bed Foot Section” and a U.S. Provisional Patent Application,Ser. No. 60/803,841, filed on Jun. 2, 2006, and entitled “Ob/Gyn Bed,”each of the foregoing provisional applications being hereby incorporatedby reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to accessories that attach to birthingbeds to support the body of a patient during obstetric labor anddelivery. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to patientsupport accessories that attach to birthing beds or birthing bedaccessory frames and that are configured to engage and support limbs ofthe body of a patient during labor and delivery.

During obstetric delivery in which a patient is in a reclining position,it is desirable for the legs of a patient to be positioned by acaregiver so as not to be supported by an underlying table surface. Inmany situations is important to have a limb-support apparatus permittingflexure of the knee joints of a patient by a sufficient amount to placethe patient in a desired position for delivery of a child.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure comprises one or more of the features recited inthe appended claims and/or the following features which, alone or in anycombination, may comprise patentable subject matter:

A limb support is configured to be secured to a patient-supportapparatus having two generally parallel longitudinal members spacedapart such as a birthing bed for obstetric delivery. The limb support,embodied as a foot support, comprises a foot-receiving portion which isconfigured to be adjustable to support the foot of a patient thereon,especially, for example, a patient in labor for obstetric delivery. Thefoot support may be shaped to engage a foot of a patient.

The foot support may further comprise a frame configured to pivot aboutboth a vertical axis and a horizontal axis in relation to the patientsupport apparatus. A pair of locks configured to block pivoting movementof the frame about an associated axis are coupled to the frame. Theframe includes a U-shaped bracket having a pair of walls positioned in aparallel spaced-apart relation to one another. Each wall is formed toinclude a blind slot having a termination and arranged to open away fromthe horizontal axis of rotation.

A lock release actuator is coupled to the frame to receive an actuationforce from a caregiver to simultaneously unlock both the verticalrotation-blocking lock and the horizontal rotation-blocking lock toallow the caregiver to move the foot support to a desired position. Insome embodiments, the lock release actuator may be embodied as a grip.The grip is coupled to a crossmember positioned such that portions ofthe crossmember are received by both slots for slidable movementtherein. The crossmember is coupled to the locks via a pair of cables,each cable being coupled to an associated rotation-blocking lock.

The grip is generally J-shaped and arranged to receive a hand of acaregiver for application of the actuation force. The grip is configuredto transmit the actuation force to the locks regardless of where theactuation force is applied along the length of the grip.

When an actuation force is applied to the grip along a generallylongitudinal axis of the foot support frame, the crossmember will movetoward the opening of both slots in a generally symmetric motion.However, the arrangement of the slot terminations allows the crossmemberto form a pivot axis about the termination if an oblique actuation forceis applied to the grip. Thus, while one end of the crossmember pivotsabout the slot termination, the other end is free to move toward theslot opening allowing the crossmember to sufficiently displace thecables so that the associated locks are released.

The limb support may further comprise a leg support mounted on the footsupport and moveable from a stowed position below the foot support toone of a number of use positions. The leg support may be pivotablycoupled to the foot support through a pivot-coupler that is coupled tothe foot support. The leg support comprises an arm, a ball-lock assemblycoupled to the arm, and a cushion assembly coupled to the ball-lockassembly to receive and support a portion of a leg of an obstetricpatient. The cushion may be configured to conform to the contours of thebody of the patient. In some embodiments, the leg support may have anupwardly facing surface which is convex in shape.

The pivot-coupler has a body and a spring-loaded release handle. Thepivot-coupler also has an internal pivot shaft about which the armpivots.

The arm comprises a pivot collar and an offset shaft. The pivot collaris formed to include two slots which receive a lock-rod coupled to thespring-loaded release handle to maintain the arm in a position in eithera stowed position or a use position. The arm, and therefore the legsupport, are able to pivot about an axis to move the leg support fromthe stowed position to the use position to receive the leg of thepatient.

The ball-lock mechanism includes a housing, a release handle, a ballmount, and a spring bias assembly. The ball-lock mechanism is moveablebetween an unlocked position wherein the ball mount is free to pivotrelative to the housing and a locked position wherein the ball mount isinhibited from moving relative to the housing. The ball mount comprisesa spherical portion and a shaft configured to engage with a mountcoupled to the cushion assembly. The release handle is used to engagethe ball-lock mechanism.

The release handle includes a bent shaft and a grip. The release handleis rotated by the caregiver to move the ball-lock mechanism between thelocked and unlocked positions. A cam supports a flange of the springbias assembly. The flange supports a plurality of spring washers that inturn support a cradle that receives the spherical portion of the ballmount. The cam is four sided with two opposing sides having a thicknesssmaller than the other two opposing sides. Thus, rotation of the camninety degrees in a prescribed direction changes the displacement of theflange and therefore the deflection of the spring washers.

When the force exerted by spring washers on the cradle, and thereforethe ball mount, is minimal, the ball mount is pivotable in a pluralityof directions about the center of the spherical portion. When the cam isrotated in an opposite direction, the cradle is urged against thespherical portion which urges the spherical portion against an annularsurface of the housing to cause the ball mount to be restrained frommoving.

Additional features, which alone or in combination with any otherfeature(s), including those listed above and those listed in the claims,may comprise patentable subject matter and will become apparent to thoseskilled in the art upon consideration of the following detaileddescription of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode ofcarrying out the invention as presently perceived.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The detailed description particularly refers to the accompany figures inwhich:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view from a foot end corner of a patient-supportapparatus of the present disclosure showing a pair of limb supportscoupled to an articulable yoke and a left limb support being shown in anarticulated position in phantom;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of illustrative componentsincluded in a limb support lock release mechanism of the patient-supportapparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a limb support embodied as a foot support (witha cover removed) showing (from left to right) an outer grip, a lockrelease grip, a frame, and horizontal and vertical pivot mounts;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the foot support of FIG. 3 showing the footsupport with portions removed;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the underside of the foot support ofFIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of the foot support of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lock release mechanism of FIG. 4showing the grip coupled to a crossmember positioned in a pair of guideslots formed in a guide bracket and a pair of release cables coupled tothe crossmember on first ends;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a locking mechanism showing a shaftcoupled to a mount;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged plan view of the horizontal and vertical pivotmounts of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 showing the footsupports (and an accessory leg support mounted to each foot support)pivoted about both a vertical axis and a horizontal axis to move thefoot supports to an upright out-of-the-way position;

FIG. 11 is a plan view similar to FIG. 3 showing an outer grip removed;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a patient-support apparatus inaccordance with a second embodiment of the present disclosure showing apair of foot supports further including a calf support mounted to andarticulable relative to the foot support;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the patient-support apparatus of FIG.12 with each of the foot supports articulated to an out-of-the-wayposition to permit a caregiver access to a seat support section area ofthe patient-support apparatus;

FIG. 14 s a perspective view of the patient-support apparatus of FIG. 12with the foot supports and calf support articulated such that the calfsupports are positioned for a patient to rest a portion of the patient'sleg on the calf support during birthing labor;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the calf support mounted to the footsupport as shown in FIG. 13, the calf support shown articulated relativeto the foot support and the calf support in a stowed position inphantom;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 15 with the calf supportarticulated about a multi-axis pivot mount relative to the foot supportand an intermediate position in phantom;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a support arm and multi-axis pivotmount of a calf support of the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 12;

FIG. 18 is a top view of the multi-axis pivot mount and a portion of thesupport arm of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the multi-axis pivot mount of FIG. 18taken along lines 19-19;

FIG. 20 is an exploded perspective view of illustrative components ofthe support arm and multi-axis pivot mount of FIGS. 15 and 16;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a cushion assembly of the calf supportof FIG. 14;

FIG. 22 is a bottom view of the cushion assembly of FIG. 21;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the cushion assembly of FIG. 22taken along lines 23-23; and

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a mechanical insert of the cushionassembly of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A patient-support apparatus 10 for obstetric labor and delivery includesa pair of limb supports 12 and 14 embodied as foot supports 12 and 14.Foot supports 12 and 14 are of a similar construction with foot support12 being a patient right hand version and foot support 14 being apatient left hand version. As depicted in FIG. 1, foot supports 12 and14 are articulable relative to a yoke 16 of patient support apparatus 10with foot support 14 being shown in an articulated position (inphantom). Articulation of the foot supports 12 and 14 permits acaregiver to adjust the position of the foot supports 12 and 14 toposition the feet of a patient supported on a seat deck 18 and mattress20 during the birthing process.

In the foregoing discussion, the structure of foot support 14 will bediscussed and it should be understood that foot support 12 operates in asubstantially similar manner with the only difference being that footsupport 14 is a left hand version and a foot support 12 is a right handversion. As shown in FIG. 1, a main portion 22 of foot support 14 ispivotable about an axis 24 that is generally horizontal. Additionally, amount portion 26 of foot support 14 is pivotable about a generallyvertical axis 28 that thereby pivots the entire foot support 14 aboutaxis 28.

Foot support 14 is shown with covers omitted to show the mechanicalstructure of the foot support 14, as suggested in FIG. 3. Foot support14 is pivotable about axis 28 in a plurality of directions as depictedby arrow 30 as shown, for example, in FIG. 1. Referring once again toFIG. 3, main portion 22 is pivotably coupled to the mount portion 26 andpivotable about axis 24 as depicted by arrow 32. The main portion 22comprises a lock release 15 coupled to a frame 34, mount portion 26coupled to frame 34 and configured to engage a gas spring 38 which actsas a counterbalance to resists rotation of main portion 22 about axis 24so as to assist a caregiver in adjusting the position of main portion 22about axis 24 when the load of a patient's foot is supported on footsupport 14. Main portion 22 further comprises a bracket 40 coupled toframe 34 and positioned to support a locking mechanism 42 which isbiased to a locked position to resists rotation of main portion 22relative to mount portion 26 of foot support 14.

The main portion 22 further comprises a flange 44 coupled to opposingsidewalls 54 and 56 of frame 34 as shown in FIG. 3. Flange 44 supportstwo release cable assemblies 46 and 48. Release cable 46 is coupled tolocking mechanism 42 at one end of release cable 46 and is actuable torelease locking mechanism 42 to permit main portion 22 to move aboutaxis 24 relative to mount portion 26. Release cable 48 is coupled to alocking mechanism 50 (best seen in FIG. 5) and is actuable to releaselocking mechanism 50 to permit mount portion 26 to pivot about axis 28and the direction of arrow 30.

The main portion 22 further comprises an outer grip 52 that is U-shapedand is coupled to the outer surfaces of walls 54 and 56 of frame 34 asshown in FIG. 3. The outer grip 52 is accessible by a user to guide footsupport 14 when foot support 14 is repositioned about axes 24 and 28.The main portion 22 still further comprises a guide bracket 58 coupledto frame 34. The guide bracket 58 has two slots 60 and 62 that receive acrossmember 64 of a release handle 66 such that the crossmember is freeto move relative to guide bracket 58 within the slots 60 and 62 as shownin FIG. 7. The crossmember 64 has two apertures 68 and 70 that areconfigured to receive a portion of release cables 48 and 46respectively. The release handle 66 comprises a grip portion 72 that isaccessible by a user to grip and thereby actuate release cables 46 and48 simultaneously to allow adjustment of foot support 14 about axes 24and/or 28.

Release cables 46 and 48 are of similar construction and each include anouter sheath 74 and an inner cable 76 which moves relative to outersheath 74, as shown best in FIGS. 4 and 7. Each of the release cables 46and 48 further includes an engagement end 78 received in apertures 70and 68 respectively. The release cable assemblies 46 and 48 are eachsupported on flange 44 by a fastener assembly 80 that maintains theouter sheath 74 of each cable 46 and 48 fixed relative to the frame 34.Thus, when grip portion 72 is actuated relative to frame 34 such as inthe direction of arrow 82, the inner cables 76 of each release cable 46and 48 move relative to frame 34 which results in the release of lockingmechanisms 42 and 50 thereby permitting adjustment of the position offoot support 14 relative to the yoke 16.

The locking mechanisms 42 and 50 are biased such that the inner cables76 are pulled toward the locking mechanisms 42 and 50 thereby urging thecrossmember 64 in a direction opposite of arrow 82, as shown in FIG. 7.The slots 60 and 62 are blind slots with terminations 84 and 86respectively. The bias of locking mechanisms 42 and 50 transmittedthrough inner cables 76 of release cables 46 and 48 urge the crossmember64 to engage terminations 84 and 86. Movement of the crossmember 64relative to a guide bracket 58 overcomes the bias of locking mechanisms42 and 50 thereby releasing locking mechanisms 42 and 50. In theillustrative embodiment of FIG. 7, the crossmember 64 is free to move ina plurality of directions in a plane of movement defined by slots 60 and62 of guide bracket 58.

Because crossmember 64 is free to move in a plurality of directions, auser need not activate release handle 66 in the direction of arrow 82 inorder to release locking mechanisms 42 and 50. For example, if a usergrips grip portion 72 to move release handle 66 in the direction of thearrow 108, the motion is transferred to crossmember 64 such thatcrossmember 64 maintains contact with termination 86 of slot 62 andcrossmember 64 moves within the slot 60 such that crossmember 64 pivotsrelative to termination 86.

In addition, crossmember 64 is free to move in the plane of movementdefined by slots 60 and 62 in a direction perpendicular to thelongitudinal length of slots 60 and 62. Thus, inner cables 76 moverelative to outer sheaths 74 of release cable 46 and 48 therebyreleasing locking mechanisms 42 and 50. Therefore, a user may griprelease handle 66 at any point along the length of grip release handle66 to to apply an actuation force in any of a number of directions tosimultaneously release locking mechanisms 42 and 50.

Once again referring again to FIG. 3, locking mechanism 42 is pinned tobracket 40 by a retaining pin 88 and hairpin fastener 90 that retainspin 88 on bracket 40. As suggested in FIG. 5, locking mechanism 42 isalso pinned to two flanges 92 and 94 coupled to a frame portion 96 ofmain portion 330 retaining pin 88 and hairpin fastener 90 couple thelocking mechanism 42 to the flanges 94 and 92. Locking mechanism 42 ispivotable relative to bracket 40 about pin 88 and relative to flanges 92and 94. When in the locked position, the locking mechanism 42 maintainsthe distance between the pins 88 and prevents rotation of main portion22 about axis 24. By changing the distance between pin 88 and bracket 40and pin 88 in flanges 92 and 94, main portion 22 pivots about axis 24 tochange the position of foot support 14.

Locking mechanism 50 is coupled to a frame 96 of mount portion 26through a pin 98, as shown in FIG. 9. Locking mechanism 50 is alsocoupled to a cam plate 100 of a cam assembly 110 through a pin 102. Pins98 and 102 are retained on locking mechanism 50 by a pair of e-rings 104and 106 respectively. Cam assembly 110 further comprises a keyed collar112 that is configured to engage a shaft to on yoke 16 ofpatient-support apparatus 10. The collar 112 comprises a keyed slot 114that engages with a key (not shown) on the shaft (not shown) of the yoke16. The shaft is fixed to the yoke 16 and keyed collar 112 is restrainedfrom rotation about the shaft by the engagement of the keyed slot 114with the key of the shaft.

Cam assembly 110 is pivotable relative to frame 96 of mount portion 26about axis 28. The locking mechanism 50 prevents rotation of the camassembly 110 relative to frame 96 when the locking mechanism is engaged.When the locking mechanism is released an outer housing 116 of lockingmechanism 50 is free to move along a shaft 118 that thereby permitsframe 96 of mount portion 26 to rotate relative to cam assembly 110 to anew orientation. The cam assembly 110 stays in the same or relativeposition as it relates to the yoke 16, but the mount portion 26 andthereby the remainder of the foot support 14 pivots relative to the yoke16.

The locking mechanisms 42 and 50 operate in a similar fashion as will bediscussed in reference to locking mechanism 42 shown in FIG. 8. Thelocking mechanism 42 is a wrap spring mechanism in which a wrap spring(not shown) engages the shaft 118 when the wrap spring is in a relaxedpositioned. The inner diameter of the wrap spring is slightly smallerthan the outer diameter of the shaft 118 such that when the wrap springengages shaft 118 the spring is precluded from movement along thelongitudinal length of the shaft 118 thereby securing the spring to theshaft to 118. Locking mechanism 42 further comprises an outer housing116 that is engaged with the spring.

The housing 116 comprises a cylindrical main portion 128 and two flanges124 and 126 with each flange coupled to opposing sides of thecylindrical main portion 128. The housing 116 also comprises aconnecting flange 130 that is used to connect to the housing 116 to anexternal member (not shown). The flanges 124 and 126 are coupled to aterminal end of cable 46 to transmit the actuation force to the flanges.When the flanges 124 and 126 are brought together as depicted by arrow132 in response to the actuation force transmitted by cable 46, the wrapspring, internal to the housing, is configured such that the innerdiameter of the spring body is enlarged so that the spring is free tomove along shaft 118. When the flanges 124 and 126 are released, theinner diameter of the spring contracts and the spring is secured to theshaft 118 and thus prevents the housing 116 from moving relative to theshaft 118.

The shaft 118 includes a flange 120 positioned at one end which preventsthe spring and therefore the housing 116 from sliding off the end of theshaft 118. At the end of the shaft opposite to the flange 120 is aneyelet 122 coupled to the shaft 118 to connect the shaft 118 to anotherexternal member. In use, a release cable 48 is coupled to the lockingmechanisms such that the inner cable 76 is connected to flange 124 andthe outer sheath 74 is connected to flange 126 so that movement of therelease handle 66 as discussed above causes the flanges 124 and 126 tocontract in the direction of arrow 132 thereby releasing the lockingmechanism 42. This permits the adjustment of the foot support 14relative to yoke 16 to a plurality of positions about axis 24. Therelease of locking mechanism 50 occurs in a similar fashion and allowsfoot support 14 to be adjusted about axis 28.

For example, the foot supports 12 and 14 are each shown in a homeposition in FIG. 1 and shown articulated about both the generallyvertical and generally horizontal axes to an upright out-of-the-wayposition as shown in FIG. 10. The foot supports 12 and 14 are adjustableto a plurality of positions about the generally horizontal and generallyvertical axes so that the foot support 12 and 14 may be positioned to aplurality of positions and orientations as desired by the caregiver.

In the illustrative embodiment of FIG. 10, two leg supports 150 and 152are coupled to foot supports 12 and 14 respectively. In addition, thefoot support 12 comprises a foot receiving cover 140, a bellows cover142 covering a horizontal pivoting mechanism, and a mount cover 138. Thefoot support 14 comprises a foot-receiving cover 144, a bellows 148, anda mount cover 146.

In a second illustrative embodiment of a patient-support apparatus 210of FIG. 12, two limb supports 216 and 218 are coupled to foot supports12 and 14, respectively. As suggested in FIGS. 12-14, the leg support216 is moveable between a stowed position below foot support 12 as shownin FIG. 12 and any of a number of use positions as shown in FIG. 14. Theleg support 216 and leg support 218 are similar in structure with theleg support 216 being configured as a right-hand version and the legsupport 218 being configured as a left-hand version. The structure ofleg support 216 will be discussed in detail below. It should beunderstood that the description of leg support 216 is applicable to thegeneral structure of leg support 218 with the only difference being thehandedness of the two leg supports 216 and 218.

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, leg support 216 is pivotably coupled tofoot support 12 through a pivot-coupler 232 that is coupled to footsupport 12. The leg support 216 comprises an arm 234, a ball-lockassembly 236 coupled to the arm 234, and a cushion assembly 238 coupledto the ball-lock assembly 236. Referring now to FIG. 20, thepivot-coupler 232 includes a body 240 having a first knuckle 235, asecond knuckle 237, and a spring-loaded release handle 242 coupled tothe first knuckle 235. The pivot-coupler 232 also has an internal pivotshaft 233 about which arm 234 pivots.

The arm 234 is shown in FIG. 17 and comprises a pivot collar 244, anoffset shaft 246, a first end 243, and a second end 245. The pivotcollar 244 comprises two slots 248 and 250 which receive a lock-rod (notshown) coupled to the spring-loaded release handle 242 to maintain thearm 234 in a position in either a stowed position or a use position. Thearm 234 and therefore leg support 216 pivots about an axis 252 shown inFIG. 15.

Details of the ball-lock mechanism 236 are shown in FIGS. 18 and 19 andthe ball-lock mechanism 236 comprises a housing 254, an handle assembly256, a ball mount 258, and a spring bias assembly 260. The ball-lockmechanism 236 is moveable between a position wherein the ball mount 258is free to pivot relative to the housing 254 and position wherein ballmount 258 is constrained from moving relative to the housing 254. Theball mount 258 comprises a spherical portion 262 and a shaft 264configured to engage with a mount 266 (best seen in FIG. 21) of thecushion assembly 238. The handle assembly 256 is used to engage theball-lock mechanism 236.

The handle assembly 256 comprises a bent shaft 268 and a grip 270. Thehandle assembly 256 is actuated such that the shaft 268 is rotated inthe direction of arrow 272 to thereby move the ball-lock mechanism 236between locked and unlocked positions. Referring now to FIG. 19, shaft268 is coupled to a cam 274 that supports a flange 276 of the springbias assembly 260. The flange 276 supports four spring washers 278 thatin turn support a cradle 280 that supports the spherical portion 262 ofball mount 258. The cam 274 is four sided with two opposing sides havinga thickness smaller than the other two opposing sides. Thus, rotation ofthe cam 274 ninety degrees in the direction of arrow 272 changes thedisplacement of flange 276 and therefore the deflection of springwashers 278. As shown in FIG. 19, the displacement of spring washers 278is at a minimum. In the position of FIG. 19, the force exerted by springwashers 278 on cradle 280 and therefore ball mount 258 is minimal suchthat the ball mount 258 is pivotable in a plurality of directions aboutthe center of the spherical portion 262. When the cam 274 is rotatedninety degrees, the cradle 280 is urged against the spherical portion262 which is thereby urged against an annular surface 282 of the housing254 such that the ball mount 258 is restrained from moving.

Referring now to FIG. 23, a portion of housing 254 is removed to definea slot 292 that is configured to receive the shaft 264 of ball mount 258when the leg support 216 is in a stowed position. The shaft 264 has twosides 288 and 290 that define a tapered cross-section of shaft 264. Thetapering assists the shaft in nesting in the slot 292 to prevent thecushion assembly 238 from moving while the leg support 216 is stowed.

The structure of leg support 216 permits the leg assembly to be rotatedabout an axis 294 shown in FIG. 20 in the direction of arrow 296. Oncethe leg support is rotated about axis 294, the cushion assembly 238 ispositionable relative to the ball-lock mechanism 236 to a plurality ofpositions such as, for example, in direction 286 toward the use positionshown in FIG. 16.

Referring now to FIGS. 21-24, the cushion assembly 238 comprises amolded foam covering 298 coupled to a support structure 300. The mount266 is coupled to structure 300 through two fasteners 302. Mount 266includes a through-hole 304 that is positioned such that when shaft 264of ball mount 258 is positioned in a blind hole 306 in a lower surface308 of mount 266, the cushion assembly 238 is coupled to the ball mount258 and secured with a fastener 305.

The covering 298 is molded to form two ridges 310 and 312 in a surface532 of covering 298. The ridges 310 and 312 are spaced apart such that astrap 314 is positionable between the ridges 310 and 312. Strap 314 isused as a securing strap to assist a patient in maintaining their legspositioned in the cushion assembly 238 during labor. The ridges 310 and312 assist in maintaining the strap 314 positioned without sliding alongthe longitudinal length of the cushion assembly 238. Cushion assembly238 further includes a molded ridge 316 that extends about the perimeterof the cushion assembly 238 to eliminate sharp edges. The covering 298comprises an over-molded foam.

The covering 298 covers structure 300 that is a unitary metal sheet. Insome embodiments, the metal sheet may be replaced with a rigid plasticmaterial such as ABS. Structure 300 includes a main portion 318 that hasseveral through-holes 320 that are configured to allow the over-moldingto adhere between an upper portion and lower portion. Structure 300 alsoincludes two flanges 324 and 326 extending longitudinally along a lengthof main portion 318. An additional flange 322 is coupled to main portion318 to provide support for a lower leg hanging over the edge of cushionassembly 238.

Although certain illustrative embodiments have been described in detailabove, variations and modifications exist within the scope and spirit ofthis disclosure as described and as defined in the following claims.

1. A limb support for use with a patient-support apparatus, the limbsupport comprising: a frame coupled to the patient-support apparatus, amulti-axis pivot mount coupled to the frame, the pivot mount including apivot coupler mounted to the frame, an arm coupled to the pivot coupleron a first end for pivotable movement thereabout, and a ball jointcoupled to a second end of the arm, and a cushion assembly configured toreceive and support a portion of a leg of a patient, the cushionassembly coupled to the ball joint for pivotable movement of the cushionassembly in relation to the ball joint, wherein the pivot couplerincludes a body coupled to the frame, the body having a first and asecond knuckle positioned in a spaced-apart relation and configured toreceive a pivot pin therethrough and a spring-biased lock pin pivotablycoupled to the first knuckle, wherein the first end of the arm iscoupled to a pivot collar configured to be received by the body andpositioned between the first and second knuckles to receive a portion ofthe pivot pin therethrough, and wherein the pivot collar is formed toinclude a pair of slots in a rim of the pivot collar and configured toreceive a portion of the spring-biased lock pin to block pivotingmovement of the pivot collar.
 2. The limb support of claim 1, whereinthe frame is configured to pivot about a first axis and a second axis inrelation to the patient-support apparatus.
 3. The limb support of claim1, wherein the pair of slots formed in the rim of the pivot collar toreceive a portion of the lock pin correspond to a use position and astowed position of the cushion assembly.
 4. The limb support of claim 3,wherein a portion of the spring-biased lock pin is configured to extendinto the first knuckle to confront the rim of the pivot collar.
 5. Alimb support for use with a patient-support apparatus, the limb supportcomprising: a frame coupled to the patient-support apparatus, amulti-axis pivot mount coupled to the frame, the pivot mount including apivot coupler mounted to the frame, an arm coupled to the pivot coupleron a first end for pivotable movement thereabout, and a ball jointcoupled to a second end of the arm, and a cushion assembly configured toreceive and support a portion of a leg of a patient, the cushionassembly coupled to the ball joint for pivotable movement of the cushionassembly in relation to the ball joint, and wherein the ball jointincludes a housing formed to include a frustoconical open end andarranged to be coupled to the second end of the arm, a handle coupled tothe housing, a spring-bias assembly positioned within the housing, and aball mount configured to be received between the housing and thespring-bias assembly.
 6. The limb support of claim 5, wherein the ballmount includes a spherical portion and a shaft extending outwardly fromthe shaft and configured to engage with a mount coupled to the cushionassembly.
 7. The limb support of claim 6, wherein the spring-biasassembly includes a cradle configured to receive a portion of the ballmount, a flange positioned in a spaced-apart relation to the cradle, anda plurality of spring washers positioned in a registered relationshipextending therebetween.
 8. The limb support of claim 7, wherein aportion of the handle extends into the housing and is coupled to a cam,the cam is positioned to confront a surface portion of the flangeopposite from the spring washers and configured to urge the flangetoward the cradle to deflect the spring washers in response to rotationof the cam to urge the ball mount against the frustoconical open end. 9.A limb support for use with a birthing bed, the limb support comprising:a foot support coupled to the birthing bed, the foot support pivotablerelative to the birthing bed about a first and a second axis, amulti-axis pivot mount coupled to the foot support, the pivot mountincluding a first joint mounted to the foot support, an arm coupled tothe first joint on a first end for pivotable movement thereabout, and asecond joint coupled to a second end of the arm for pivotable movementthereabout, and a cushion assembly coupled to the second joint forpivotable movement of the cushion assembly in relation to the secondjoint, wherein the first joint includes a body coupled to the footsupport, the body having a first and a second knuckle positioned in aspaced-apart relation and configured to receive a pivot pin therethroughand a spring-biased lock pin pivotably coupled to the first knuckle,wherein the first end of the arm is coupled to a pivot collar configuredto be received by the body and positioned between the first and secondknuckles to receive a portion of the pivot pin therethrough, and whereinthe pivot collar is formed to include a pair of slots in a rim of thepivot collar and configured to receive a portion of the spring-biasedlock pin to block pivoting movement of the pivot collar.
 10. A limbsupport for use with a birthing bed, the limb support comprising: a footsupport coupled to the birthing bed, the foot support pivotable relativeto the birthing bed about a first and a second axis, a multi-axis pivotmount coupled to the foot support, the pivot mount including a firstjoint mounted to the foot support, an arm coupled to the first joint ona first end for pivotable movement thereabout, and a second jointcoupled to a second end of the arm for pivotable movement thereabout,and a cushion assembly coupled to the second joint for pivotablemovement of the cushion assembly in relation to the second joint,wherein the second joint includes a housing formed to include afrustoconical open end and arranged to be coupled to the second end ofthe arm, a handle coupled to the housing, a spring-bias assemblypositioned within the housing, and a ball mount configured to bereceived between the housing and the spring-bias assembly.
 11. The limbsupport of claim 10, wherein the ball mount includes a spherical portionand a shaft extending outwardly from the spherical portion andconfigured to engage with a mount coupled to the cushion assembly. 12.The limb support of claim 11, wherein the spring-bias assembly includesa cradle configured to receive a portion of the ball mount, a flangepositioned in a spaced-apart relation to the cradle, and a plurality ofspring washers positioned in a registered relationship extendingtherebetween.
 13. The limb support of claim 12, wherein a portion of thehandle extends into the housing and is coupled to a cam, the cam ispositioned to confront a surface portion of the flange opposite from thespring washers and configured to urge the flange toward the cradle todeflect the spring washers in response to rotation of the cam to urgethe ball mount against the frustoconical open end.
 14. A positioner fora limb support of a patient-support apparatus, the positionercomprising, an arm coupleable to a portion of the patient-supportapparatus, a ball joint including (i) a housing formed to include afrustoconical open end, the housing coupled to the arm, (ii) a handlecoupled to the housing, (iii) a spring-bias assembly positioned withinthe housing, and (iv) a ball mount interposed between the housing andthe spring-bias assembly, the ball mount including a spherical portionand a shaft extending outwardly from the spherical portion, the shaftconfigured to engage the limb support.
 15. The limb support of claim 14,wherein the spring-bias assembly includes a cradle configured to receivea portion of the ball mount, a flange positioned in a spaced-apartrelation to the cradle, and a plurality of spring washers positioned ina registered relationship extending therebetween.
 16. The limb supportof claim 15, wherein a portion of the handle extends into the housingand is coupled to a cam, the cam is positioned to confront a surfaceportion of the flange opposite from the spring washers and configured tourge the flange toward the cradle to deflect the spring washers inresponse to rotation of the cam to urge the ball mount against thefrustoconical open end.
 17. A limb support for use with apatient-support apparatus, the limb support comprising an arm pivotablycoupled on a first end to the patient-support apparatus, a cushionassembly coupled to a second end of the arm for movement relative to thearm, and a ball-lock mechanism arranged to interconnect the cushionassembly and the arm, the ball-lock mechanism including a ball mountcoupled to the cushion assembly to move therewith, a housing coupled tothe second end of the arm and configured to receive a spherical portionof the ball mount therein, a handle coupled to the housing, the handlearranged to extend into the housing, and a cam positioned to lie withinthe housing and arranged to move in response to movement of the handlebetween an unlocked position wherein the ball mount is free to pivotrelative to the housing and a locked position wherein the ball mount isrestrained from moving relative to the housing.
 18. The limb support ofclaim 17, wherein the ball-lock mechanism further includes a spring-biasassembly arranged to lie within the housing between the cam and the ballmount and the cam is arranged to cause the spring-bias assembly tocompress during movement of the cam from the unlocked position to thelocked position.
 19. The limb support of claim 18, wherein thespring-bias assembly includes a cradle configured to support thespherical portion of the ball mount, a flange positioned in aspaced-apart relation to the cradle, and a plurality of spring washerspositioned in a registered relationship extending therebetween.
 20. Thelimb support of claim 17, wherein the ball mount further includes ashaft appended to the spherical portion, the shaft is arranged to extendaway from the spherical portion toward the cushion assembly, and theshaft is coupled to the cushion assembly to interconnect the cushionassembly to the spherical portion.
 21. The limb support of claim 17,further comprising a pivot coupler including a body coupled to thepatient-support apparatus, the body having first and second knucklespositioned to lie in spaced-apart relation to one another, a pivotcollar coupled to the first end of the arm and is arranged to liebetween the first and second knuckles, and a spring-bias lock pinpivotably coupled to the first knuckle and arranged to cause a portionof the spring-biased lock pin to mate with a pair of slots formed in thepivot collar to block pivoting movement of the pivot collar relative tothe body.
 22. The limb support of claim 21, wherein the pair of slotsformed in a rim of the pivot collar to receive a portion of thespring-biased lock pin correspond to a use position and a stowedposition of the cushion assembly.